Insider Tips on New Ysork’s Christmas Tree

Nothing marks the beginning of the magical holiday season in New York City like the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Check our Insider Guide tips on the best views of the tree, ice skating in Rockefeller Center, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Open Attractions and more.

Christmas Tree Lighting Rockefeller Center

83rd Annual Tree LightingWednesday, December 2, 2015 Ceremony, 7-9 pm

The unlit Rockefeller Center Christmas tree usually arrives in mid-November. Then we have Thanksgiving and Black Friday, when the department stores unveil their famous window holiday displays… but it is the week after Thanksgiving that represents the true start of Holiday Season in NYC for many New Yorkers.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree, traditionally a Norway Spruce, is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire, and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. Tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions watch the Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live across the globe.

The tree will stay up until 8pm on January 6, 2016 and will be illuminated from 5:30 am to midnight, all day (24 hours) on Christmas Day and 5:30 am – 9 pm on New Year’s Eve. More Info: www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting/

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

NYC Insider Tip: When visiting the tree, enter Rockefeller Center from 5th Avenue and walk through the horn-blowing Angels toward the tree. Entering from the side, 47th or 50th streets is just not the same view or experience.

Rockefeller Center is between 5th and 7th Avenues and 47th and 50th Streets.

The horn-blowing Angels will lead you to the Rockefeller Tree, Prometheus and the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink. The Angels represent hope and Prometheus, the gold statue in Rockefeller Plaza, represents the ancient Greek legend of the Titan, bringing fire to mankind.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Map

As you can see from this partial map of Rockefeller Center, entering from the Fifth Avenue side makes the first sight of the tree visit much nicer as you walk along the Angels, toward the Ice Skating Rink, looking at Prometheus (the statue behind the rink) and the Rockefeller Christmas Tree proudly presiding over the spectacular scene.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Where Should I Stand and When Should I Arrive?

Mariagiulia from Italy asked,

“I would like to know (because it’s my first time at this event) where precisely will the stage be where celebrities will perform and, in your experience, where is the best spot with the closest view of the stage. And at which hour should I arrive to be in front?”

Of course, I asked my friend and Rockefeller Center expert, John, Manager of Top of the Rock.

Here is his response, “The talent usually performs down by the ice skating rink, in front of the Prometheus statue. She should probably arrive at about 4pm for the closest spot possible, but she’ll get no closer than the Channel Gardens because that’s where just about everyone there has to stand.”

New York City Holiday Lights Tours

New York City during Holiday season is a don’t miss! Get in the festive spirit by taking an evening Holiday Lights Tour of Manhattan’s glittering holiday-season lights including: Central Park’s Holiday Markets, The tree at Lincoln Center, The World’s Largest Snowflake, all the store displays on Madison, Park and Fifth Avenues and lots more!

Though I always recommend you see as much as you can of NYC on foot, it’s not always possible. Seeing all of NYC’s attractions, trees and lights while covering the four square miles or so they encompass in one night and on foot can take a while, not to mention the crowds and cold weather.

To the rescue, this guided New York City Holiday Lights Tour takes place in a climate controlled luxury motor coach, with frequent stops to get out and view the displays up close. Tour Length: Approximately 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Check out this great New York City Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Vacation customized by local NYC vacation experts. The package includes hotel, Exclusive Insider’s Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Party, Empire State Building and Top of the Rock (or many other choices) and much more. As far as I know this is the ONLY private tree lighting party in NYC!

Christmas Holiday Walking Tour in NYC

November 28 – December 20, 2014 – Fridays and Saturdays at 5pm PLUS Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at 5pm.

On this tour, you’ll learn all about the history of Christmas in NYC, our famous lighted trees and Christmas music written in New York. See Holiday displays and store windows, holiday markets, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier’s and, of course, the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.